Yosemite National Park Tips | 5 Things to Know Before You Go!

[@overwatchxrescue]

You're definitely right about booking lodging well in advance. Even snagging a decently priced accommodation in Oakhurst feels like a great deal!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Yes, so true! I hope you were able to get what you needed!

[@dhhartman7]

Reservations are now required to get into Yosemite because of how busy it was last summer 2023. We were there July 30-31st from Wisconsin. Waterfalls were still had a large flow rate because of all the snow the prior winter. Tioga road opened only two weeks earlier. Dean

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Yeah, it was kind of a mess last year haha

[@bonniefinley3875]

I think you need to add a sixth thing to your video, and that’s to get your itinerary! I bought one last week, and I can't stop looking at it and dreaming about our Yosemite trip! I showed it to a friend’s bro in law who worked as a geologist in Yosemite for a summer, and even he was blown away and said he couldn’t have come up with a better plan to see the park in 1-4 days. Thanks for making such a difference, Ash….we really appreciate you!!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thanks so much! You totally made my day, and I'm so excited for you to visit Yosemite!

[@jameswebb9738]

I lived and worked there for 6 years from 2003-2009. Lived right on the meadow in the only stone house and when I opened my front door there was Half Dome.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Wow that's amazing!

[@jameswebb9738]

@ I worked for Delaware North who was the concessionaire in the park. I was the Grocery manager and buyer for all of our retail stores. Yes I think about that experience almost daily.

[@jameswebb9738]

@ Oh! Greetings from Portola California I actually lived in the Portland area for 5 years before moving to Portola in 2014. Ironically I manage 2 Grocery stores for a small family owned company with 10 independent stores in Washington, Oregon and California who I met while in Portland.

[@SandraMartinez-hv1by]

Thanks for sharing!! I can’t wait 🙌🏼

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You're welcome!

[@mindyramirez3760]

I’m so grateful to have found your video I used your tips for Grand Canyon.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sallykutyla5443]

This was absolutely the best advice for Yosemite booking. We followed your advice this morning and snagged a 3 day spot in June at Upper Pines. Without your tips, we would have failed...big time. THANKS!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I'm so happy to hear that you'll be staying at Upper Pines! Have an amazing time!

[@somedayistodayrv]

Great tips on Yosemite. This channel has good info to help improve visits to the parks. Thanks for your effort to help people. Take care.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thanks!

[@OregonWilds]

@@DirtInMyShoesAsh are you getting back into rangering in 2025? You possess a type of adorable credibility:) Greetings from Portland, Oregon by the way.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

@@OregonWilds thank you! But no, no more rangering for me right now. I really enjoy running Dirt In My Shoes and helping people make their dream trips a reality. But someday, yes, I think it would be cool to be a ranger again!

[@mil-h5977]

Thanks so much for the info. I was planning for the trip to Yosemite and felt overwhelmed. Will definitely check your other videos. 👍

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thanks for watching! Enjoy Yosemite!

[@marving0mez]

The 3rd week in May, before memorial day is the best time to go. No tourists, you have the whole park/valley to yourself. You can also camp at Bass Lake which is at the southern entrance about 45 minutes outside of the valley. Alot cheaper than the valley. It is way better than Yellowstone.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

That can be a nice time to be there if you're okay with mainly focusing your time in the valley. The high country, including the Glacier Point Road and the Tioga Road, may not be open by that time. And many hiking trails are still covered in snow :)

[@RenzoStefanoPontexRuiz]

It's the most beautiful place there is! I like this place very much and I want to go there. Hell, It must be amazing to live in this place. I love this country, The national parks here are beautiful. Thank you very much for this video, I really appreciate it. 🙂👍🏞️🌲🏞️

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You're welcome! I hope you are able to visit soon!

[@cmorr72]

Thank you for the pointers. We are planning a trip in October for five days. We are excited to go back and look forward to the visit. Your pointers will help us pre-plan our visit.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Enjoy Yosemite!

[@alanteets6365]

Excellent tips! Just booked Yosemite Valley Lodge for July 2025 and will be checking out your website for more great information! Thanks

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You're welcome!

[@Ginger_jae]

You're an angel! Most informative Yosemite video I've seen. Definitely going to your site. 💕

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thanks!

[@matthewstorm5188]

Honestly, camping along Tioga Pass Road is MUCH nicer than camping in Yosemite Valley. The campgrounds may not be as close to Yosemite Valley attractions. But the campsites are much more spacious, spread out, private, and ‘nature immersing’. It is also easier to get a reservation. By contrast, camping in Yosemite Valley is much more like camping at a music featival or RV park. Also, summer weather is MUCH nicer along Tioga Pass Road than in blazing hot Yosemite Valley. And although Yosemite Valley gets all the love, the high country should NEVER be looked at as a downgrade.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I agree...I love camping along the Tioga Road! But it has a much shorter season and isn't as convenient for first-time visitors. When we return to Yosemite, now that we've been many times, we tend to stick to those more off-the-beaten-path areas and campgrounds!

[@Walksuphill]

Thanks for the info. Really not a fan of nature with so many people. (Unless it's a music festival lol)

[@markwilkins9048]

Thank you Ash, your tips have been invaluable.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Happy to help!

[@teresarosales8803]

Thank you for sharing! Great information ☺️

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You're welcome!

[@markcamacho8523]

Great info Ash!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thanks!

[@antiNuetron]

Thanks for this. I'm going to Yosemite Oct 9th - 19th. We'd like to drive over Tioga pass one day. Do they close it for any amount of snow?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

They have already temporarily closed the Tioga Road once this fall, so it's a definite possibility. They try to get it reopened as quickly as they can, but sometimes it does close down for a day or two in the fall while they clear the snow.

[@OregonWilds]

Good day, Ash :) what is your favorite national park to visit? There must be one that gives you some sort of belonging perhaps out of all of them? Nice hearing from a former Park Official! I just subscribed to your channel since I think you have a great way of presenting things in a “real” down to earth way

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Grand Teton! I have a lot of memories there -- I've been visiting that park yearly since I was really young and it's where I got my first job as a park ranger!

[@stettan1754]

Should I get the National Park pass before getting to Yosemite, or picking one up when I’m there?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I usually just recommend getting one when you get there. You can do it online beforehand, but it's not necessary.

[@stettan1754]

@@DirtInMyShoes Thank you for responding.

[@familiasoaresnoalabamausa8837]

Hi Ash, your video is really good. Congrats.... Iam planning to go in October, and I will rent a RV and make a spot reservation for campgrounds. Iam thinking in North Pines, Lower Pines, Upper Pines. What is your favorite campground? Other question, is there a specific hour to use a generator in the campgrounds?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You'll find that info here: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/all-about-camping-yosemite-national-park/ Have fun!

[@victorespinoza2005]

I am going to Yosemite this weekend. What is a good time to arrive at the park? Thank you

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You'll find all of my timing suggestions in my Yosemite Itinerary: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/yosemite-itinerary/

[@LZBStudio]

Hi Ash! Great video, such a great information you provided. I found it really useful. My name is Eddie from Argentina and I'm planning to visit the US and try to go to Yosemite in March, between the 12th and 14th. I believe the park would still open but I want to understand how much hike I would be able to do. I'm used to doing a lot of hiking here but always avoiding snow. If I understood correctly there will be snow on those days I chose, am I right? Do you recommend that I visit Yosemite in another season? (I'm not sure when in my life I'm going to be able in short term to visit North America again)

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You'll find a full articles on dirtinmyshoes.com about the Best Time to Visit Yosemite, and that should help you make your decision based on what's important to you!

[@driftingforward]

Thank you, Anyway to rent Ebikes for our trip? We can not bring our bikes

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You can find bike rental options here: www.nps.gov/thingstodo/bikingyosemite.htm

[@driftingforward]

@@DirtInMyShoes Thank you, Any webseits for camping ? I tried a link but its will not work

[@RaulVerber3]

If i want to go just on a one day hike is there any parking available near Mist Trail?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

There is a very small parking lot that fills extremely early. You're likely better off parking in one of the bigger lots and taking the shuttle!

[@bamh1re318]

The last time my family visited Yosemite they hiked to the falls, and I drove 7~8 circles for 2 hours. no luck finding a spot. Be prepared to keep one driver

[@FinetyRabaey]

hello we want to stay in camp 4 or bridaveil creek camp but how do you charge your phone? we are there for 3 days

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Sometimes you can find outlets in the bathrooms, but I usually bring a portable battery to charge my devices when I'm camping.

[@Sep101-v2j]

Hi, if I should visit Yosemite around the last week of november, will it be safe to drive there from san francisco? 1st time driving in US. Would you recommend staying there overnight ?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

It's hard to say what it will be like at that time of year...snow is possible. And yes, I would stay overnight!

[@Sep101-v2j]

@@DirtInMyShoes thanks!

[@lakersalex]

Is it busy in early October?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You'll find a month-by-month breakdown here: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/the-best-time-to-visit-yosemite-national-park/

[@markpruitt993]

Your videos are incredibly helpful, thank you. My wife and I are honeymooning in California and are planning a two day trip to Yosemite in May! I do have a question - we have a reservation for Saturday, May 18. Do we still need to get to the park super early? We’d rather not wait in a line for hours, but I’m not sure if we are guaranteed a parking spot since we have a reservation already.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Congrats on your wedding! Your reservation doesn't guarantee a parking spot, so you'll still want to get there early!

[@markpruitt993]

@@DirtInMyShoes Good to know. Thanks so much!

[@marekw.9816]

I can't pronounce Tuolumne either. Heck, not even sure I spelled it right.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

It's tricky. I finally learned that it's "follow me to Tuolumne" and it should rhyme LOL

[@AndrewCCM]

So what's up with the law about not being able to film or take photos to use on social media? Have they ever resolved this? It's basically kept me from visiting national parks these days.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I haven't heard anything on it lately.

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

I really wish I had been able to go in the 70's. It seems like everything else tourists have ruined what was pure magic.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You can still find magic there!

[@potroast702]

You would’ve been able to find a reason to miss the magic back then also. The magic has nothing to do with anybody but you.

[@donotreply8979]

Just literally don't go on a weekend, easy

[@russellmacarthur2089]

Do you know, I'm booked into Yosemite Valley Lodge in September, so am I correct that my reservation is my "pass" into the park or do I still need a timed pass? Also, if I wish to drive up to Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove can I still come & go from the valley without an additional timed pass during my stay? Thanks in advance.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You're all set with that lodging reservation. No entrance reservation needed and you can go anywhere in the park :)